Thanksgiving

This last sunday our pastor's message was focused on giving thanks. The text he used was from Romans 8. This bible passage shows what we really have to be thankful for in our salvation that is through Jesus:

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.

Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Because of what God did through Christ on mybehalf, I am no longer subject to condemnation! God loves me and has planned to conform me to the image of Jesus. He loves me and nothing can separate me from that love. He will give me every spiritual blessing along with all the followers of Jesus and will turn every bad thing into good. There is a glory waiting that far surpasses any hardships of this life. For this I am thankful!

How To Endure All Things

Exodus 33:14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.

The secret to a faith that endures through all trials, trouble and evils of this life is the presence of God. Every follower of Christ is one because the presence of God became a living reality. There is nothing sweeter, purer, holier and more beautiful than knowing and experiencing the Lord's closeness. When things happen that don't make sense and leave us confused and doubt knocks on the door, Christ's presense brings healing comfort and consolation.

These are not just empty words. When our gracious Lord is present to the soul, it is truly tanglible and real--an experience that is so revolutionary that it is life changing. It is the presence of the Lord that brings comfort, joy, peace, repentance, hope and love and strengthens the soul to endure whatever hardships life produces.

God's presence is holy. I do not sense it as often as I crave for. I so often forget to seek the Lord and become content in my life without his presence. Then I become dry and hardened. But here is what He promises:

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.

If you seek for God, you will find Him. He will make his presence known. How do you seek Him? You devote time to calling out to Him in prayer. You ask Him to make His presence known. You hunger for Him to be near. You read His Word in the Bible and trust His promises.

Here are some verses about His presence:

Philippians 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 84:10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Psalm 27:4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Lord, it is good to be in your presence. There is nothing better and more fulfilling. For we were created by You to be complete and whole when we are near you. Do not hide yourself from me, for I hunger and thirst for you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may endure.

Higher than our Ways

Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

In my on-going journey of faith, one battle lies in the temptation to make God into my own image. It is that tendacy to project upon God my own shortcommings. If I am struggling to forgive others, that sin erects a barrier in my heart that makes it difficult to believe that God is willing to forgive. One's unkindness may make it difficult to believe that God is kind. A stingy heart might find it hard to accept God's generiosity.

I am reminded by this passage of Scripture that God's ways are above mine. He says directly before this passage:

Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

God is willing to forgive. Turn to the Lord (in faith) and not away from Him (in unbelief). He will not only forgive, but freely pardon. It is never to late to receive forgiveness because He is good, kind to the guilty who ask for mercy.

Lord, renew me daily in the knowledge of you. I am sad that I so often underestimate your willingness to bless me with your favor.